Selling storage hangers was never going to be easy. I finally had a product that worked — strong, affordable, and practical — but it needed a companion: the box. Without a box that fits snugly in your rafters, the hangers are useless. So I designed one: 14x24x14, fits like a glove.
I thought this was the fix. Two hangers, one box, labeled hardware, and directions. I was all in. I believed I’d succeeded with this innovative invention. But it’s not that easy. There’s so much more to business than just the invention.
I wasn’t selling — I was spending. Sure, a few friends bought some. Mostly, I installed them in people’s homes just to prove they worked. This incredible idea became my downfall in the business world. I was on a journey of no return.
Shark Tank Dreams, Spam Nightmares
I tried to get on Shark Tank. Instead, I got eaten alive by online rip-offs. I didn’t know what I was doing, so I paid to learn — and got taken for a ride. I put my phone number out everywhere. Now I can’t even turn my phone on without getting spammed all day.
Eventually, I threw in the towel. I quit. I was up in the loft the other day and saw all the boxes of hangers I still have. It brought back a flood of bad memories. That’s why I’m writing this — because I can. It’s still a fresh wound.
I even cut some hangers in half and used them in my garage. They’re so strong, they work great for storage. That’s a win. But there weren’t many wins with this hanger.
Reinventing the Hanger
I did come up with new ways to use them. The design lets you fit a 1×4 or 2×4 in the center. That turned out to be the best use. With just six hangers and a 1x4x8 board, I built an open shelf. You can see everything and grab what you need.
I had plenty of hangers to experiment with. On the blog’s homepage, you can see how I use them now. I try not to dwell on the bad. These “stupid hangers” actually helped me get my basement the way I wanted.
The Good, the Bad, and the Garage
I even hang lights using four hangers and a couple short 1x4s. The real bad part? I couldn’t sell them. But they work. They extend your joists and give you space to store bigger items. That cooler in my garage is 20 inches high — I used six hangers and two 1x4x8s. It’s solid. Three hangers per board.
You can use these for wider items too. There are no rules anymore — just use common sense when putting things over your head.
.
Leave a Reply